The care for chemically dependent: with words from health professional of centers of psychosocial on alcohol and drugs

Objective: To know the experiences of health professionals across the assistance to substance dependents. Method: Qualitative study conducted with 26 professionals from three Centers for Psychosocial Care (CAPS) in alcohol and drug modality, in the state of São Paulo, from August 2012 to February 2013. Results: The mean age was 33.7 years-old where 15 participants are women and 11 men. The average working time in the institution was 3.1 years. The following categories emerged: 1. The work process and its impact on care for substance dependents and; 2. Powerlessness of abandonment of treatment; 3. The professional relationship with the substance dependents and their family. Conclusion: The professionals live with the lack of working conditions, but there is the possibility of link production with users and family members, as a tool to achieve comprehensiveness and humanization of care.